Superelastic articulating mechanism

Abstract

A surgical device includes a handle, a drive shaft that protrudes from the handle, and an articulating applicator arm connected to the drive shaft. An articulation trigger includes at least one superelastic articulating cable that has one end connected to the articulation trigger and an opposite end connected to the articulating applicator arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical device comprising:
 a handle;   a drive shaft that protrudes from said handle;   an articulating applicator arm connected to said drive shaft; and   an articulation trigger comprising at least one superelastic articulating cable that has one end connected to said articulation trigger and an opposite end connected to said articulating applicator arm.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one superelastic articulating cable comprises upper and lower superelastic articulating cables connected to upper and lower points on said articulation trigger and which enter said drive shaft through entry holes. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein said articulation trigger pivots about a pivot. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein said articulation trigger comprises a lower portion or upper portions. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical device according to  claim 4 , wherein said upper portions are arranged to move in a curved track formed in said handle. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein said articulation trigger comprises a locking mechanism for locking said articulation trigger at a selected operating position. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical device according to  claim 6 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises one or more lugs biased by a biasing device, said one or more lugs being arranged to be urged by biasing device into one or more depressions formed in said handle. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein said handle further comprises a deployment trigger for rotating said drive shaft. 
     
     
         9 . A method for using the surgical device of  claim 1 , comprising operating said articulation trigger so as to cause articulation of said articulating applicator arm.